perversion / depravity

The Hebrew that is translated as “perversion,” “depravity” or something alike in English is translated in Kwere as chilozo, meaning “that which is not wanted,” which means that which is unusual or out of the norm. (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

complete verse (Leviticus 18:23)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 18:23:

  • Kupsabiny: “A man or woman must not have sex with any animal. That is a sexual sin!” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “’You must not have yourselves defiled by having intercourse with any beast or animal. woman must not have sleep with an animal or a beast. This is repulsive behavior. ” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “A man or a woman must- not -have-sexual-intercourse with an animal, for that (is) wicked and dirty/unclean.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘No one, man or woman, should defile himself/cause himself to become unacceptable to me by having sex with an animal; that is a perverse act.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 18:23

You: the pronoun at the beginning of the verse is again taken as being addressed to men, but women are specifically included in the prohibition later in the verse. This is why Good News Translation has brought the two together and begins this verse “No man or woman….”

Lie with any beast: in some cultures people lie down with animals in order to keep warm. So a literal translation of this expression would convey the wrong meaning. The prohibition is against sexual relations and not simply lying down near an animal.

Perversion: this is another very strong term indicating something that is to be avoided at all cost. See verse 17.

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .